From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Posavaz Hound (FCI No. 154) (Croatian
and Slovene: posavski gonič) is a
breed of dog, originating as a hunting dog of the scenthoundtype. Croatia is the home country for the breed. The
name translates into English as the Scenthound From The Sava
Valley, but is usually translated as the Posavaz
Hound.

Contents

Appearance

The Posavaz Hound is a solidly built dog with a somewhat long
body, close-fitting drop ears, a long tail, and a gentle
expression. The breed has an ideal height around 50 cm (20 ins) at
the withers. The short, flat
coat is slightly
longer on the belly and backs of legs (feathering). Coat coulour is
a reddish wheaten, sometimes marked with white.

History

There is no actual proof of great antiquity for this breed,
although there is much fanciful conjecture. The type is very old,
and the modern breed resembles images seen in frescoes as early as
1497. Writers cited as having mentioned the type include Bishop
Bakič of Đakovo in 1719
and the veterinarian Franjo Bertič, also of Đakovo, in 1859. Hounds
from the Sava Valley (Posavina, south-east of Zagreb) were sold as boskini in Croatia
in the 1800s. The ancestry of the dogs was documented starting in
1929, when registrations for the stud book were first taken. The
breed was internationally recognised by the Fédération
Cynologique Internationale in 1955, and the name was clarified
in 1969. The breed has been known since then as the Posavaz
Hound.[1] The
breed is recognised in North America by the United Kennel
Club in the Scenthound Group, and by a number of
minor registries, hunting clubs, and internet-based dog registry
businesses, and is promoted as a rare breed for those seeking a unique
pet.

Health
and temperament

No unusual diseases or claims of extraordinary health have been
documented for this breed. The breed standard
describes the ideal temperament as docile and an enthusiastic
hunter.